The Very Best of Eric Burdon and WAR

A Powerful, Definitive Tribute to One of Music’s Most Explosive Collaborations

Review By Halina Wegner

Few partnerships in modern music history have burnt as brightly—or as boldly—as the collision of Eric Burdon and WAR. Now, more than fifty years since their first recording sessions reshaped the boundaries of funk, rock, Latin, jazz, and soul, Avenue/Rhino marks the moment with a release worthy of the legacy. The Very Best of Eric Burdon and WAR, out Nov 28th on 2CD and as a Record Store Day Black Friday 2LP exclusive, is not just a compilation—it’s a vivid reconstruction of lightning in a bottle.

This collection goes straight to the source, revisiting the groundbreaking early albums Eric Burdon Declares “War” and The Black-Man’s Burdon, both produced by the ever-inventive Jerry Goldstein and newly remastered by the legendary Bernie Grundman. The difference is immediate: every groove, every vocal roar, every percussive pulse hits with renewed clarity, restoring the urgency and experimentation that made these records seismic in 1970. Whether through the hypnotic drift of “Magic Mountain”, the gritty punch of “Tobacco Road”, or the soul-deep reinterpretation of “Nights in White Satin”, the remasters reveal the sheer audacity of a group rewriting musical language in real time.

Of course, “Spill the Wine” remains the centrepiece—here in both its iconic album version and a sprawling unedited remix that exposes new layers of psychedelic swagger. Burdon’s otherworldly storytelling blends effortlessly with WAR’s fluid, sun-soaked grooves, reminding listeners why this track became a genre-defying classic.

But what elevates this release beyond a standard retrospective is the inclusion of three previously unreleased gems from the Avenue Records vaults. These rare cuts deepen the narrative of Burdon and WAR’s early years, offering a raw, unfiltered window into the sessions that would ultimately crystallise the band’s identity. Heard alongside thunderous live takes—like the blistering “Paint It Black (Live)”—these tracks reinforce what critics like NME’s Richard Green recognised decades ago: this was one of the greatest live bands of their era.

Disc Two gathers some of the collaboration’s most enduring moments, from the gospel-tinged uplift of “They Can’t Take Away Our Music” to the sprawling multi-part odyssey “Train Thing”, which highlights WAR’s ability to fuse improvisation, cultural rhythm, and cinematic scope into something uniquely theirs. The sequencing across both discs is tight, thoughtful, and deeply respectful of the music’s historical weight.

Accompanied by striking new artwork and deluxe packaging, The Very Best of Eric Burdon and WAR arrives as both a celebration and a time capsule. With 2025 marking 55 years since WAR’s formation—and the band newly honoured with a Hollywood Walk of Fame star—this release maps the lineage from their scrappy, fearless beginnings to their status as cultural storytellers whose music continues to soundtrack America’s soul.

From trailblazing hits like “Spill the Wine” to the socially charged spirit that eventually birthed anthems such as “Why Can’t We Be Friends?”, this collection captures a collaboration that was never just about music. It was a movement—one rooted in unity, experimentation, and an unwavering belief in the power of sound to transcend boundaries.

A must-own for long-time fans, collectors, and anyone curious about the moment two worlds collided and changed music forever.

The Very Best of Eric Burdon and WAR
Track List

CD 1
1. Magic Mountain
2. Spill The Wine
3. Tobacco Road
4. Nights In White Satin
5. Spirit
6. Love Is All Around
7. Home Dream
8. Bare Back Ride
9. Mother Earth
10. Beautiful Newborn Child
11. A Day In The Life

DISC 2
1. Paint It Black
2. Gun
3. Pretty Colors
4. Home Cookin’
5. They Can’t Take Away Our Music
6. The King
7. Train Thing
A) Mystery Train
B) Solo Rider
C) Baby Let Me Ride
8. Spill The Wine (Unedited Remix)
9. Paint It Black (Live)